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Tulaya’s Proverb of the Month: A Pestle in the Hand, Virtuous Words from the Mouth
Good words must coincide with good deeds.
Concept direction: Tulaya Pornpiriyakulchai; Contributing artist: Manit Sriwanichpoom
Meua teua saag paag teua sin
(A pestle in the hand, virtuous words from the mouth)
A pestle and mortar go together. As kitchen utensils, they have no sacred associations. A person holding a pestle has no special aura. Problems arise when an ordinary person starts showing off, pretending to be a person of high moral standing above others and close to enlightenment.
Saying one thing and doing another is a form of deceit, and it can cause disappointment and false expectations. While doing harm to someone, a person may, at the same time, be spouting moralistic messages. Such a person should be shunned and disdained. If you want to be good, be so in both words and deeds. If you are going to be bad, don’t pretend otherwise. So don’t be one who, with pestle in hand, preaches fine and good acts.
Proverb put into context
All the locals were depressed. It was clear that the owner of their rented land had decided to build a condo of skyscraper-like proportions.
Somchok, a newly qualified lawyer and son of Uncle Chum, the plumbing shop owner, was appointed to negotiate with the landowner towards delaying the moving date and to determine moving costs. Somchok cited the rental agreement, which was so yellowed and crisp with age that it practically turned to dust in his hands. He came back empty handed, and with the warning that if they did not give in they would all be in deep trouble.
‘Oh Madame Sai Bua, you pretend to be so holy, but I can see the pestle in your hand,’ Uncle roared. As Lum Nam heard her uncle shout out in despair, she couldn’t help wondering why Madame Sai Bua, such a rich woman and landowner, had to pound her own chilli paste.
01/03/2012 - 13:23
